My son took these picures of a black bear yesterday near Waterton Alberta. He can have it they are pretty large guys.

===added
pictures of mountain goats etc today

July 11th, 2005, 11:42 AM

Team American

Looks like he was pretty close for that second picture :eek:

Even though they are VERY large and funny shaped, bears can move with suprising speed when they are of a mind to do so.

But it's really cool to see them in the wild :smile: Good pictures!

July 11th, 2005, 12:02 PM

Captain Crunch

FortyFive,

Nice pics, but those are black bears (Ursus americanus), not grizzlies.

Fur color is not a reliable way to identify bears. Blackies can be black, brown or blonde. They also have longer snouts & ears than grizzlies, and don't have the characteristic shoulder hump of their larger cousins.

Your son was very fortunate, tho. Sighting any bear in the wild is a rare treat! :cool:

July 11th, 2005, 12:21 PM

firefighter4884

Bears...Overpopulation... Etc.

Crunch...

Want to see black bears? Head out to Sussex County NJ. We keep trying to get them to bring the NJ Bear Hunt back, because they are too over populated, and are actually starting to cause damage, and are attacking pets, and even in some cases, humans.

Unfortunately, mostly people who live down near the more urban areas in the state are of the opinion that "oh, we can't kill them, that's not right."

end result, most of the people in my county see bear several times during the summer. Some people (in the right locations, see bears all the time.)

In fact, last week, there was one camping out in front of my squad building, in the middle of the night. He was RIGHT in the MIDDLE of the parking lot :eek:

But you're right, they are beautiful creatures, and extremely nice to see in the wild. :biggrin:

--Jim

July 11th, 2005, 12:23 PM

FortyFive

Hey Captian Crunch many thanks for the observation. My son was on the phone as I was reading your response and passed it on to him. Us city folk are lucky if we even know its a bear. Thanks again! :smile:

July 11th, 2005, 09:13 PM

P95Carry

Great pics!!!

A buddy of mine saw one last winter, when it ''attacked'' his bird feeder and succeeded in trashing it!!! IIRC in PA last hunting season, the tally of bear was around 3,500 state-wide - their numbers seem to have expanded quite a bit.

Certainly tho it is quite something to see one first hand - and. something I have yet to enjoy.

July 11th, 2005, 09:30 PM

FortyFive

P95Carry(senior)he he :smile: I think firefighter has a point about people not wanting to shoot those cute little bears. Wait until one of those cute little bears goes on a rampage and kills a kid or two then hear the roar.

July 11th, 2005, 09:52 PM

P95Carry

I regard bear as pretty much any potential large predator - mainly hoping they will stay in their environment as I will mostly stay in mine. I have no personal wish to hunt them.

Sadly in some areas, when food is less plentiful, and folks leave out garbage, scraps etc - these fellas will and do enter man's domain rather freely. Those that do can then represent a threat particularly when discovered and disturbed - and attacks follow.

I would only be shooting if in a defensive situation but sure, some folks who see them as ''cuddly'' would soon see them in a different light if people attacked.

Suitable mantra? - ''do NOT mess with a bear''! :smile:

July 12th, 2005, 05:04 PM

grnzbra

Quote:

Wait until one of those cute little bears goes on a rampage and kills a kid or two then hear the roar.

Naahhh. Never happen. They'd just call for "understanding" or something.

July 13th, 2005, 07:43 AM

firefighter4884

Grnzbra,

You'd be amazed at how little people react to bear attacks in New Jersey anymore. We always get more of the "don't hurt the bears, it's not their fault." and the "we have to live with them." or the "the people did something stupid, and brought it on themselves."

It just doesn't make any sense...reminds me of the gun control debate all over again... :(

July 13th, 2005, 04:47 PM

Bud White

Good pics one thing ive never had anyluck getting a pic of is a Bear

July 13th, 2005, 05:49 PM

FortyFive

Bud the sheep just wander around near the people like its old home week. They don't seem to fear anyone. They took pictures of steelhead trout covering the bottom of a stream, you can't fish there though. :smile:

July 13th, 2005, 07:42 PM

QKShooter

Nice Pics FortyFive

I saved your one of the bear crossing the road to my computer.

July 13th, 2005, 07:51 PM

Bud White

Photos is one of my other hobbies but try as i might i can nab a bear the sheep are sweet looking to we just got deer here ...lol

July 13th, 2005, 08:55 PM

FortyFive

My son has sent me more pictures of sheep and stuff if you guys want me to send some along just say the word.